Nanoparticle cancer vaccine that boosts B cell and helper T cell collaboration
Therapeutic Cancer NanoVaccine Promotes B/CD 4 T Cell Crosstalk for Durable Anticancer Efficacy
A nanoparticle vaccine that adds B cell targets so B cells and CD4 'helper' T cells can work together to create stronger, longer‑lasting anti-cancer immune responses for people with tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261732 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is designing a nanoparticle vaccine that carries specific pieces (epitopes) for both B cells and T cells so B cells can grab the vaccine and present antigen to CD4 helper T cells. The team is optimizing how the vaccine binds B cell receptors to promote uptake and antigen presentation by B cells. They will test the approach in laboratory and animal models to see whether enhanced B cell/CD4 T cell crosstalk improves tumor control. The ultimate aim is to develop a vaccine approach that could move into early human trials for cancers with targetable neoantigens.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors that express targetable neoantigens and who are eligible for early-phase personalized vaccine trials would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with severe immune suppression, rapidly progressing disease requiring immediate standard therapy, or tumors lacking identifiable neoantigens are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce cancer vaccines that give stronger and longer‑lasting control of tumors than current T‑cell-only vaccine approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Prior neoantigen vaccines have shown promise in some cancers such as melanoma but long-term benefit has been limited, and intentionally engaging B cell-to-CD4 T cell crosstalk is a newer, less-tested strategy.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Duxin — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Sun, Duxin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.